Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween blog followers. The boys had a great day...I mean days. Halloween festivities began on the 29th when Ethan got to wear his costume to school, and we went to a Halloween party that night at Tengan Castle. On the 30th, Ethan's school had a storybook parade, and we carved pumpkins. Today (Halloween) we hung out at home and then went trick-or-treating in a rainstorm! We were soaked, but the candy made things all better.

I know I'm their mom, but that is a cute monkey and Jedi.

All of the boys carving pumpkins. I'm severely out-numbered.

Ethan's "scary" pumpkin.

Jackson hanging with the pumpkins.

The finished products!

Fortunately, Halloween does not mean cool temperatures in Okinawa. We spent a good part of the day swinging!

Since turning five, Ethan has mastered pumping his legs on the swing AND jumping out of the swing. Look out ER; here we come!

Jackson is still keeping mellow in his swing...for now.

Ethan's school had a storybook parade to celebrate Halloween. His class dressed up as monkeys from the book, "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." I love the bandages.

Jackson was uncharacteristically social at the parade. He even tried to march through with his brother.

Fall is in the Air!

It's starting to feel like Fall here...finally! The temperatures are in the 70's, and the humidity is slowly decreasing. We even get to wear coats (sometimes). We picked out our pumpkins and did some Fall baking as we prepare for Halloween this weekend.

Pumpkins have become our new favorite toys!!

So far this week, Ethan and I have baked monster cookies and peanut butter cookies. Tomorrow we're baking banana bread.

Happy 56th Anniversary Momo and Mofa!

What an accomplishment! We love you both so much!!

Back in Okinawa, the boys have been their busy selves. It's amazing how quickly Jackson is growing into Ethan's old toys and clothes. He's officially in size 3T, and it feels like I just put these clothes into storage when Ethan outgrew them. I don't think Jackson got the memo about being a one-year-old. He flew through all the one-year-old developmental milestones, and he is acting like a full-fledged two-year-old...tantrums and all! Andy's favorite is when Jackson throws a football across the room and screams, "football!" I know Andy is secretly doing cartwheels of excitement. We need to remind Jackson that he isn't even 18 months old yet. What a difference having a big brother makes!!

Cruisin' for chicks.

What's up ladies?



Time for a little PT. He's masculine enough to wear a ladybug helmet.

Jackson's role model! Yikes!

This is after a Ben 10 birthday party.

I love these boys!!

Rain Outside? Bikes Inside!

It was pretty rainy last week, but I kind of enjoyed it; it almost made it feel like Fall (until the rain stopped, and the humidity was awful). We even got to pull out sweatshirts...to wear inside since we leave the A/C on year round. Because Ethan and Jackson are always on the go, we brought the bikes inside to help burn some energy!!

He doesn't really like this little bike. He just wants to peddle. Fortunately, he's getting a new tricycle for Christmas!

"Cheese" face

Ethan brought his big wheel in. His actual bike is too big for inside. We weren't ready for cool weather for Ethan. Usually I'm so prepared with "winter" clothes, but overnight, he grew out of all of his clothes. When I took this picture, this was the only long-sleeved shirt that fit him (thank you Grandma Vicki!). I've since, acquired some more pants and shirts. Oops!

Mommy got a much-needed haircut, and Mommy and Daddy got a date night. Double bonus!

Happy 5th Birthday Ethan!!

Ethan is five today! Here are some pictures from his last four birthdays, as well as highlights from his birthday weekend. We had a party with friends on Saturday, and we celebrated as a family today.

One year old! October 13, 2005

Does he look like a one year old we know??

Two years old! October 13, 2006

It was a cold second birthday in Caribou, ME.

Three years old! October 13, 2007

It was so hot in Okinawa this day that we had to pull out the pool for his birthday party. What a difference from the year before.

Four years old!! October 13, 2008

Such a fun little boy, er, I mean BIG boy.



Five years old! October 13, 2009
We love you Ethan!

We rented the bounce house for the whole day so we could all play on it. Here's Andy and Ethan trying it out.

Monster cupcakes made by my talented friend, Theresa. What a lifesaver!!

Taking a whack at the pinata.

Presents!! This is just the batch from family. He also made quite the haul from his friends.

Jackson enjoyed watching his brother open presents...and then playing with them when Ethan wasn't looking.

Getting ready to hit the green with Daddy and his new golf clubs!

Practice makes perfect.

Ethan immediately gave Jackson his old clubs. This is Jackson's "cheese" face.

Happy Birthday Ethan!!

31 Years Young

Andy turned 31 on October 8th, but he insists that he is still 30. I'm sure I'll struggle too once I enter the next decade. We had a nice dinner at Mike's Italian Garden, and then we opened presents and ate pumpkin pie. Since we are currently overloaded on birthdays, we also get overloaded on birthday cake so pumpkin pie was a nice change. Stay tuned for pictures from Ethan's 5th birthday!!

Presents and pie...life is good.

What on earth did Uncle Bobby and Aunt Connie send us in this massive box??

Ooh...it looks like a truck!

It is! A REALLY fast remote control truck. Yay!!

Jackson thought the pumpkin pie was the best part of the night.

Fun with Friends and Fun in the Rain!

We had Brooke and Cole over on Friday night so their parents could go out on a much-needed date. The rest of the weekend was rainy, but rain, thunder, and lightning can't keep these two boys inside.

Movies and sleeping on the floor! Fun!

Best buddies (and goofballs)

They run outside when they hear thunder.

Then they act surprised when they're wet and cold.

Who's up for a rainstorm bike ride?

28 Candles

Thanks everyone for the birthday gifts and greetings. I had a great 28th birthday, and I'm looking forward to about 72 more!!

Ethan was quick to "help" me open my gifts. I guess he's just practicing for his birthday, which is quickly approaching.

A birthday tradition! Beverly Hills 90210 from my mom and dad!

Not quite 28 candles, but a delicious cake baked just for me by Andy and Ethan.